Brew your own beer at Mackay's only micro brewery in Paget

I moved to Mackay in 2011 and haven’t looked back since.
I’ve grown to enjoy the laidback Mackay lifestyle and all it has to offer.
Over the years I have also spent time visiting the Whitsundays and my favourite place to date would be Whitehaven Beach.
Being on the go all the time in a fast-paced job I also can’t go past a good cup of coffee.
When it comes to writing, I love to meet residents in the community and find about their life as I feel everyone has an interesting story to tell.

LOOK a little closer in Paget - between the heavy machinery, shipping containers and service businesses - and you will find Mackay's only micro brewery, where you can make your own beer.

Goanna Brewing, in Transport Ave in Paget, is a beer-drinker's dream.

The micro brewery is decked out with kegs, bottles and refrigerators big enough to hold 50L drums of the golden ale.

The venture is owned and operated by Andrew and Linda Palmer, who also own a rigging company.

Mrs Palmer said they had been looking to start another business when the brewing shop made the short list.

"The customers come to the brewery and brew their own beers," she said.

"We give them the menu.

"There are 160 or more beers you can choose from. You brew with one of us and we spend no more than an hour brewing. You brew 50 litres at a time, which is six cartons. We sell keg fridges and hire them out as well."

There had been nothing like the micro brewery in Mackay, Mrs Palmer said.

"It took us about six months to build the place because we had an empty shell," she said. "We installed everything ourselves because my husband is a boilermaker/rigger."

Mrs Palmer said customers didn't need any experience to go along and brew their own beer.

"They get a brewers card, which guides them though step by step," she said.

Their menu includes cider, ginger beer and non-alcoholic ginger beer. Gluten-free recipes will be added soon.

To buy a 50L brew costs $100-$205.

Goanna Brewing will host an open day on Saturday at 11/25 Transport Ave, Paget.